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MA'AN’s project team went to visit the Jabalya Refugee Camp.  Jabalya is one of the most densely populated areas in the world with over 100,000 people on 1.4 km².  It is the largest refugee camp in Gaza and has a multitude of problems.    First, since Jabalya is considered to be where the first Intifada originated so it is a constant target for the Israeli Occupation Forces.   Over half of the population is under the age of fourteen.  Schools are immensely inadequate with an average of 55 students per classroom.  Recently, the incursions in Jabalya lasted well over three weeks and XX people were killed. Second, electricity and water are sporadic at best, which have grave health implications.

  Our first stop was the house of Hani El Najjar.  Hani is only 45, but he lives the life of a crippled powerless man who must find a way to take care of his ten children.  Four of these children attend universities, five attend primary and secondary school, and his youngest, who is only four years old, has yet to enter the education systems of the camp.

 There is a tremendous strain on the family to support the children’s education.  Proudly, Hani stated that “[his] sons receive excellent marks, therefore their tuition is waived.  However, the family still needs to find the money to cover the costs of books, clothes, and pocket money.”  The family is greatly dependent on the help of others, and has many reasons to be bitter and angry.  Hani’s house is only 30m2 and is comprised of only a bedroom, bathroom, and a small hallway which houses the makeshift kitchen.  Also, the children’s books and other belongings are kept in this area.  Come bed time, the children lay side by side, and entering this room becomes impossible.  There are no windows, and the asbestos ceiling makes it difficult for fresh air to circulate in the home.  However, there are holes in the ceiling that allow for the tiniest bit of air and sunlight to filter through the house.  These holes are a mixed blessing.  In winter, rain leaks in and wets the house and the children as they sleep.  Islam, the youngest child, was looking forward to Eid, as any child would, but her father had to break her heart and tell her that there would be no Eid this year.  They needed to make sure the family was fed first.  Despite all of this, the family strives to better themselves.  It is there form of nonviolent resistance.  That is why education remain one of Hani’s priorities for his children.

 Our next stop was the house of Afaf Abu Zaid, which was depressingly similar to Hani’s.  Afaf was injured in the first Intifada and is now confined to a wheelchair.  Recently, Afaf lost her fourteen  year old son to an Apache missile on his way to school.  On October 17, 2004 he lost his life, three days before he would have turned fifteen.  After this, Afaf suffered a blood clot in her brain.  Her blind husband emphasized that Afaf did not like to ask others for help.